Charting Africa's Chinese Future

This research paper examines the evolving economic and political relationship between China and Africa following a strategic partnership summit. It analyzes the tensions between China's rapid investment and development goals and the emerging concerns in Africa regarding colonial-style economic ties, labor standards, and the risk of deindustrialization.

• Following a strategic partnership summit, China made several explicit financial and trade commitments to Africa, including US$5 billion in loans and credits, a goal to double development assistance by 2009, and a target to increase trade volumes to US$100 billion by 2010. Additionally, business deals signed on the margins of the summit were reportedly worth US$2 billion.
• The consolidation of China-Africa ties faces significant challenges, including concerns from African leaders that economic relations are resembling a colonial relationship. There are specific worries regarding the focus on bilateral ties over regionalism (such as the African Union), poor safety and low wages at sites like Zambia's Chambishi mine, and the potential for African deindustrialization due to Chinese manufacturing capacity.
• China's international reputation as a 'responsible stakeholder' is pressured by its close ties with pariah regimes and the actions of Chinese provinces and municipalities, which may prioritize narrow self-interest over rule of law, labor, and environmental standards.
• President Hu Jintao attempted to address criticisms in February 2007 by visiting key African states, denying colonial intentions, and introducing Economic Co-operation Zones in Zambia. In Sudan, he pressured the Khartoum regime to allow a joint AU-UN peacekeeping force into Darfur while maintaining China's economic interests.
• China's presence in Africa is characterized by four primary roles: as a 'new face of globalisation' utilizing US$1 trillion in foreign reserves; as a 'development model' of critical engagement; as a 'mirror for the West' highlighting failed Western initiatives; and as a 'responsible stakeholder' struggling with the domestic politics of host countries.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2007). Charting Africa's Chinese Future. https://saiia.org.za/research/charting-africas-chinese-future/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Charting Africa's Chinese Future. 2007. https://saiia.org.za/research/charting-africas-chinese-future/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Charting Africa's Chinese Future |date=1 November 2007 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/charting-africas-chinese-future/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2007charting, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Charting Africa's Chinese Future}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2007}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/charting-africas-chinese-future/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }